Nestled in the heart of Louisiana, St. Francisville harbors some of America’s most haunted historic sites. This charming Southern town has become a hotspot for those seeking supernatural encounters among its antebellum mansions. The centerpiece of these spectral attractions is the infamous Myrtles Plantation, where history and horror intertwine to create unforgettable experiences for brave visitors.
The Notorious Myrtles Plantation
Built in 1796, this grand estate wears its haunted reputation like a badge of honor. Recognized as one of America’s most haunted homes, the Myrtles has witnessed countless tragedies throughout its 225+ year history.
The plantation’s Greek revival architecture serves as a beautiful yet eerie backdrop to the supernatural activity reported within its walls. Visitors frequently describe unexplained footsteps, vanishing objects, and mysterious photographs capturing spectral figures.
What makes this plantation particularly chilling isn’t just its ghost stories—it’s how consistently these phenomena occur, convincing even the most stubborn skeptics that something otherworldly resides here.
Face-to-Face with Chloe’s Ghost
Among the many spirits said to haunt the Myrtles, none is more famous than Chloe. According to local legend, she was an enslaved woman who wore a green turban to hide an ear that had been cut off as punishment for eavesdropping.
After accidentally poisoning her master’s family, Chloe met a grim fate at the hands of fellow enslaved people. Today, countless visitors report glimpsing a woman in a green headwrap wandering the grounds or appearing in mirrors.
The most famous evidence of Chloe’s presence is a photograph taken in 1992, showing what appears to be a figure standing between two buildings—a photo that continues to baffle paranormal investigators.
Midnight Mystery Tours
When darkness falls over St. Francisville, the real ghostly adventures begin. Candlelit tours of the Myrtles Plantation offer visitors a spine-tingling journey through rooms where paranormal activity is most frequently reported.
Expert guides share bone-chilling tales while leading groups through shadowy corridors where mysterious footsteps follow behind. The tour culminates in the infamous mirror said to contain trapped spirits, where visitors often feel sudden cold spots or hear whispered voices.
For true thrill-seekers, special midnight tours on Friday nights provide extended exploration time and heightened chances of experiencing something truly unexplainable in the plantation’s most active hours.
Overnight Stays for the Courageous
Would you dare sleep where ghosts roam? The Myrtles operates as a bed and breakfast, allowing the bravest souls to book rooms right in the heart of the haunted mansion.
Guests frequently report being awakened by children’s laughter echoing down empty hallways or feeling invisible hands tucking them in at night. Room 3 is particularly notorious, with guests reporting bed shaking, items moving across dressers, and the unmistakable sensation of someone sitting on the edge of the mattress.
Many check out with personal ghost stories to share, while others flee in the middle of the night—unable to explain what they’ve experienced but unwilling to stay another minute.
Beyond the Myrtles: St. Francisville’s Haunted Highway
The supernatural energy of St. Francisville extends beyond the Myrtles. The town sits along what paranormal enthusiasts call Louisiana’s ‘Haunted Highway’—a stretch of road connecting several spectral hotspots.
Nearby Rosedown Plantation harbors its own ghostly residents, including the spirit of a former mistress who tends to her beloved gardens long after death. At Afton Villa Gardens, visitors report encountering a phantom horseman galloping across grounds where the mansion burned down decades ago.
Local restaurants and inns embrace the spooky reputation too, with establishments like The Magnolia Café serving up ghost stories alongside traditional Louisiana cuisine for the complete haunted experience.
